Hi again
You were right to go to samknows, but occasionally even sam can be out of date. I would be very surprised if an ADSL-enabled exchange did not also have ADSL Max. Basically all ADSL Max is is a fully rate-adaptive system that BT introduced later, and allows "up to 8Mb" connections on lines that previously may only have been able to have 1M or less. (Before Max, the best there was was 2Mb). For example I had 1Mb, could not have 2Mb, and now get 4.5Mb - perhaps soon to be 5.5Mb or even 6Mb. I seem to be lucky, but 3.5-4.0Mb seems typical on such a line. (Talking IP Profiles here for other readers - OneWord don't worry, it is to do with the way BT IPStream works and that is what you get from any ISP if, as you have found, "no one like Talk Talk, Tiscali, Bull Dog, Be" is available). On Max the system gives you the best it can, but sometimes the speed falls dramatically during peak times due to loadings on BT (rarely) or your ISP (often) at busy times of day, whereas non-Max is - or was - more consistent.
Don't worry about it until later. Suffice to say, you will almost certainly be able to get ADSL/ADSL Max, and ADSL Max will probably be the best option. (In fact BT are phasing out the old fixed speed products - maybe already have done - and offer fixed-speed Max-technology instead - take 2 paracetamol and move on
).
The important thing is to choose an ISP where the speeds may drop but not so dramatically. Some cater for high downloaders (the Enta re-sellers and a few others), some for lighter users (Newnet that I use, and others). The way such ISPs prevent dramatic drops is different, and your choice should depend on what you intend to use your broadband for.
Welsh (not Welsch) is irrelevant except for the question of the actual area. The technology and suppliers are the same.
So your next step is to tell us what you intend to use your connection for. At the bottom end, browsing and email, sorting out holiday destinations and bookings etc. At the top end, 24/7 or so downloading of films, video tracks, music, P2P, use of YouTube/MySpace/binary newsgroups and so on. Then we can advise you on the suitable UK ISPs.
From there you can look at the Compare page on this site, and also the related forums. (But bear in mind that posters to ISP forums are generally the discontented. Happy people rarely post. So it is a question of comparing the unhappiness levels
). You could also contact ISPs regarding their service to the exchanges you list.
The alternative to the above is cable. In most of the UK so far as I know the only one now is Virgin (Virgin Media cable on these forums) as there have been many mergers. If they are available in the area, or some of it, then higher speeds could be available. Try asking them.
Have you got this far? Congratulations and have a whisky. Feel free to ask for more info
.
Edit:- typo
Edited by RobertoS (Mon 16-Jul-07 22:46:11)
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